Collective IdentityIntroduction and Theory

What is ‘Collective Identity’?

• “The concept of a collective identity refers to a set of individuals' sense of belonging to the group or collective. For the individual, the identity derived from the collective shapes a part of his or her personal identity. It is possible, at times, that this sense of belonging to a particular group will be so strong that it will trump other aspects of the person's personal identity.”• Collective Identity.net

• “A collective identity may have been first constructed by outsiders who may still enforce it, but depends on some acceptance by those to whom it is applied. Collective identities are expressed in cultural materials – names, narratives, symbols, verbal styles, rituals, clothing.”• Francesca Poletta, James M Jasper

What is ‘Collective Identity’?

• Identity is complicated- everybody thinks they’ve got one”• David Gauntlett

• “A focus on Identity requires us to pay closer attention to the ways in which media and technologies are used in everyday life and their consequences for social groups”• David Buckingham

What is ‘Collective Identity’?

• In pairs consider the following:

• What contributes to your identity?• What influences your identity?• Do you ‘belong’ to a particular group or collective?

• ?

What is ‘Collective Identity’?

• Blog task: What do you understand about the term ‘Collective Identity’?

• How is a ‘collective identity’ constructed?• For example: According to…….., identity is……….., and an example of

this is……….

What is ‘Collective Identity’?

• Blog task: Explore uktribes.com and research the various tribes and stereotypes that exist within youth culture.• What defines them as a ‘group’?• Blog two examples (e.g. Stereotype followed by what defines them)

What is ‘Collective Identity’?

• What do these different groups suggest about the collective identity of youth and how it’s perceived?• Do you think that media portrayal of these groups is positive or

negative?• Any examples? (Film, TV Music, News etc.)

Dick Hebdige

• He examines how young people construct their identity through fashion and musical influence• He focused on the reality of youth culture• The Collective Identity of Youth is derived from many different sub

groups yet overriding representations of youth still exist

Dick Hebdige

• Youth sub-cultures are a way for young people to express their opposition to society, and to challenge hegemony• In this context you can consider how the working class youths’

behavior is a response to their position in society (e.g. class envy)

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• Do you agree that this is how youth are perceived today?• Is this representation often used in the media?• When is it not?• Can we explore anything more? (e.g. class, race and youth)

Blog Task

• Blog task: Blog notes on what identity is.

• How is it constructed?• What influences it?• What overriding representation of youth is portrayed in the media?• How is youth culture made up by different sub-cultures?• Reference theorists and apply examples